The family of a popular Radio Grahamstown DJ Simphiwe "Peaceman" Ngeleza who was stabbed to death last year, will not dispute the court's decision to sentence the man who murdered him to 15 years' imprisonment for murder.
The family of a popular Radio Grahamstown DJ Simphiwe "Peaceman" Ngeleza who was stabbed to death last year, will not dispute the court's decision to sentence the man who murdered him to 15 years' imprisonment for murder.
Lithemba Ncanywa, 40, showed no emotion as magistrate James Fritz sentenced him in the Grahamstown Regional Court yesterday.
Ncanywa was facing a charge of murder and two counts of intimidation.
Fritz sentenced the Xolani resident to 15 years for murder and three years each for the two counts of intimidation.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
The late DJ's family and friends were in court as Fritz handed down the prescribed minimum sentence for murder yesterday.
Ngeleza's parents Vusumzi and Phumla told Grocott's Mail that they would not dispute the court's decision as it wouldn't bring back their beloved son.
"Our son will never come back. We will say we are happy, even though we know our son will never come back to us," Vusumzi said.
The family, however, says the finalisation of the case will bring them much-needed closure.
"It's been difficult coming to court to all this time, being reminded of his death," Vusumzi said.
In handing down sentencing, Fritz said he was in agreement with state prosecutor Lyle Prins regarding Ncanywa's lack of remorse after committing the murder.
Fritz said instead of showing any signs of remorse, Ncanywa prowled the streets with a knife.
Fritz said Ncanywa had been portrayed as a trouble maker who had gone around intimidating people he thought were close to Ngeleza.
In mitigation of sentence, Ncanywa's lawyer, Noncedo Fololo, had told the court that her client had a seven-year-old child who is currently in Grade 2.
The child currently lives with Ncanywa's mother who is a pensioner.
His father has passed away. He has a brother and two sisters.
Ncanywa is unemployed and relied on odd jobs to support himself.
Fritz said Ncanywa had not planned to murder Ngeleza, but said he had had ample time to reconsider his actions before going on to stab the DJ.
Ngeleza died in Settler’s Hospital hours after he had been stabbed outside a tavern in Somngesi Street in August last year.
Tavern owner Eric Maphara said he heard that Ncanywa waited for Ngeleza outside the tavern after they had a heated argument over a soccer game.
"After the argument he [Ngeleza] went home but came back running a few minutes later," Maphara said at the time.
"He said he had just been stabbed by the same person he was arguing with earlier."
Maphara said he gave his nephew the car keys to drive him to the hospital, then went to his house and told his (Ngeleza's) wife and mother.
"We quickly went to the hospital, but upon our arrival the doctors informed us that he did not make it."
Maphara said Ngeleza told him the man had stabbed him several times and fled.
He added that Ngeleza was like a son to him.
anele@grocotts.co.za
